The Mute Shall Speak. (Matthew 9: 32-38)
A Mute Man Speaks
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marvelled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” (Matthew 9: 32-34)
This short little story of a man who is demon possessed and is unable to speak, most Bible commentators suggest that the mutism was a result of demon possession in this case. That was the lived experience of this man and the family and community around him as it tells us it was the community around him that brought him to Jesus and Jesus casts out the demon but look at the reaction of the crowd. Instead of rejoicing they say he has done this by the power of the ruler of demons, meaning Satan himself. Instead of saying wow he’s the Messiah, look at what he has done. Rather than bow the knee to the Messiah, they accuse him of being an agent of Satan.
The Compassion of Jesus
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9: 35-38)
This little is the second subsection of Matthew deals with Jesus going about practicing his ministry which consisted of preaching and teaching. We’re told in verse that “he looked at the crowd and he was moved to compassion”. It was not just their physical needs but their spiritual condition, their lack of nurture and guidance and protection that he is concerned about. Their so-called spiritual leaders have not been properly taking care of them and that leads Jesus to feel compassion for them.s, teachers, preachers and evangelists.
Our Call as Disciples.
In the next passage in Ch 10 verse 1 we will begin to see Jesus sending his 12 disciples out. Sending them out to do the work of the harvest. He called his first 12 disciples, and he sends them out. So today if you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus Christ well let me tell you it is because of someone else going out and labouring in the field on your behalf at some point.
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